Dyslexia
What if a child has dyslexia?
The Assessment of Reading Knowledge (ARK) will provide specific information on the intervention needed to support the development of every child’s reading.
As part of this, it will also provide information on whether a formal diagnosis of dyslexia is recommended.
The ARK is inclusive by design and supports all children. Even with the possibility of a dyslexia diagnosis, the strategies identified by the ARK will have a positive impact on any child’s ability to read.
As part of this, it will also provide information on whether a formal diagnosis of dyslexia is recommended.
The ARK is inclusive by design and supports all children. Even with the possibility of a dyslexia diagnosis, the strategies identified by the ARK will have a positive impact on any child’s ability to read.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling.
Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties with phonological awareness. verbal memory and verbal processing speed:
Phonological difficulties
Dyslexic children with phonological difficulties can lack automaticity with sound/letter correspondence, which is needed for decoding and pronouncing words for reading, and encoding for spelling.
Memory difficulties
Dyslexic individuals often have difficulty holding information in their short-term memory and also with retrieving it from their working memory.
Visual difficulties
Dyslexic individuals can often have difficulty with tracking accurately; they may experience glare from reading black on white, or blur from certain fonts.
Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties with phonological awareness. verbal memory and verbal processing speed:
Phonological difficulties
Dyslexic children with phonological difficulties can lack automaticity with sound/letter correspondence, which is needed for decoding and pronouncing words for reading, and encoding for spelling.
Memory difficulties
Dyslexic individuals often have difficulty holding information in their short-term memory and also with retrieving it from their working memory.
Visual difficulties
Dyslexic individuals can often have difficulty with tracking accurately; they may experience glare from reading black on white, or blur from certain fonts.
How does dyslexia affect a child's ability to read?
Having dyslexia can cause difficulty with:
- Using phonics and blending letters together.
- Identifying syllable division.
- Identifying beginning, middle and end sounds.
- Pronouncing unfamiliar words.
- Using expression.
- Being able to read fluently, especially when reading aloud.
- Being able to recognise familiar words.
- Omitting, adding or substituting words.
- Losing the point in stories.
- Identifying the main points.
- Comprehension.
Will the ARK diagnose dyslexia?
The ARK tests such a wide variety of skills that it will also automatically provide an informed recommendation on whether a child may need a formal diagnosis of dyslexia. 